Eve's Pre-K Picture

First Day of Pre-K.  The youngest one in her class.  Mrs. Cathy and Ms. Ashley.  Grace Baptist Church.  Monday-Thursday 9:30-1:30.  She LOVES it.  She was the first one to bring home the class pet (Mary the Manatee), that we thought we lost at the park on Friday night...thank goodness we found her on our dryer (how do things get lost ON TOP OF OUR DRYER????)  A few friends that have been in her class since 2-yr old class: Avery, Will, Finn, and Nathan.  She's gonna have a great year!

 She did NOT want to take these pictures.  I'm glad she did... she looks SO BIG.  Those legs... are like... real, big girl legs.  When did that happen??  Where is this belly and chunk??

Man, that seems like forever ago (actually, just 2 years).  I love my Sue-Sue.

My Heart...

 Ellie Hope: 20mths--my sweet baby girl.  you still adore your pacy and silky blanket.  You are an excellent sharer.  You smile and giggle when you know you have annoyed your sisters...you like to put your hands and feet all over Eve in the car, and love to snatch things from Clara and run away just to hear her squeal.  You are PRETTY obedient.  You like to try on everyone's shoes.  You love baby dolls.  You are an EATER...a BIG eater :)  You love to go "bye-bye" and are always pointing at the door.  You also like to pretend to go "nigh nigh" on any pillow.  

 Coleman Jude: 7mths---my peaceful child.  Content and patient.  You are growing fast and you are your sisters' favorite toy.  You are very generous with smiles and laughs.  You have the best disposition and go-with-our-flow very happily.  You are drinking 5 6-oz bottles a day with some baby food in the middle and sleep well.  You get so excited when you see your daddy...you start waving your arms and kicking your feet.  You are a delight.  You are my dream-baby.

 Eve-aroo: 4 years old---my comic relief.  You are full of energy and potential.  You have an incredible memory and knack for telling stories (in a good way).  You LOVE your family.  You tell daddy he is the most handsome man in the world, and mommy she is the most beautiful.  You are particular and picky.  You are strong and feisty.  You like to talk in accents like your dad.  You always have advice or input.  You are stubborn.  You are having a hard time giving up sucking your thumb.  

Clara Bear: 20mths---My ball of fun and fire.  Life is never boring with you.  There is always a smile and giggle behind your mean or mad face.  You play loud, you laugh loud, you cry loud, you scream loud.  You are Coleman's biggest fan.  You do NOT love to eat...actually, you are difficult at meal-time.  Somedays you love something, and somedays you hate it.  You are patient with your sisters, but are not a great sharer.  You usually ask for a bow, but then pull it out.  You are a good hand-holder.  

The Kids Love Their Da-Da...

...and can you blame them?  He's amazing!  The best dad!  Couldn't ask for better.

This particular night, I was feeding the kids at the dining room table, while Eric was out doing yard work.  The second the twins hear the lawnmower, they are pointing at the windows saying, "Da-Da??"  They were turning their heads all around and pulling at the blinds trying to see.  So, I made it easy on them.   I opened the blinds and turned their highchairs side-ways.  Clara was close enough to the window to do this... and she did this the ENTIRE time Eric was cutting the backyard.  Just to get a glimpse.  Daddy's pretty special.

Sibling Shots

 love the faces captured here

 an Easter-time meal

 they think they're tiny

 my three littles...

 Clara LOOOOVES her "man-man"

 Ellie gives up kisses pretty easily

 Clara's saying "uh-oh man man!"

 the two dudes -- Caleb's 22nd bday

Ellie LOVED helping Caleb open his presents

A Birthday Party!!!

Eric and I decided that this year was a good year for a birthday party for Eve.  More than just the "family parties" we have for her every year.  We wanted her to get to do something special with some of her friends.  I was VERY happy with what we chose.  Eve loved it.  Her 4th birthday was spent at Gymnastics Gold with some of her favorite friends: Ella Kate, Josiah, Miley, Avery Jones, Lydia Hoese, Sarah Humphrey, and Katie Mae Williams.  It was a great day!  Here are a few pics...

4 years ago today...

Eric and I were welcoming our precious baby girl, Eve, into the world.  Our lives would never be the same after that day.  This 8lb 4oz bundle came packing a punch :)  She had so much personality, even as an infant.

After consuming her 1st bday cake, we sent her to the sink at Mimi and Poppa's house. 

Second Birthday  

A 3rd Birthday accomplishment!! 

My Eve-a-roo.  4 years old. 

Some of my favorite 4-year-old "Eve-isms":

*"Oh, goody goody goody!"

*"Think you can handle it?"

*"Sure thing!"

*"These are the best ______ I never had!"  

*"Actually...."  She uses this word often and accurately :)

*"That's cool!"

*"This is RIDICULOUS!"  One of her favorite words for a long time, now!

Some things Eve has said recently in conversation:
*"I used to be your Sue-za-roo when I was three, but now I'm FOUR!"  

*"Mom's head is short.  Daddy's head is bigger than mom's shorty head!" (Dad appreciates that, Eve!)
*"I NEVER like a wedgie!"  Directed at Yaya, who loves to give Eve wedgies!
*Eric and Eve were talking about heaven and how great it would be to go there.  Eve realizes what they are talking about and says, "You can't DIE me!!  I just want Jesus to see me where I live and not die.  I like to stay living here."
*"I have two buddies named Coleman and Daddy!"  :)

Suebiddy.... you make me laugh.  You have been a precious addition to our family.  You are an awesome sister, and you love your sisters and brother more than I could have hoped for.  You are smart.  You have a massive vocabulary that consists of a lot of 3 and 4 syllable words that you have made up yourself.  You LOVE horses.  You have just mastered the forward roll, and are so excited about having a Gymnastics Birthday Party on Saturday.  You are head-to-toe girly...from bows and braids to necklaces, earrings, and fingernail polish.  You prefer to only wear "spinny skirts or dresses" and hate to wear jeans or shorts.  You have a beautiful heart...Mommy and Daddy love to see you make the right choice.  Just last night at Chuck-E-Cheese, you wanted to give some of your tokens to a little girl that didn't have any.  Sharing like Jesus.  You love your family, and you love doing things "as a family".  You have told mommy and daddy that when we get a new house one day, you want a Dalmatian.  You are a big, happy, fun-loving girl.  You have never met a stranger.  I pray you allow Jesus to use that huge personality He gave you.  You were put on this Earth for a SPECIFIC reason.  You are a world-changer.  I am so blessed to be your mama.